Two Dominican Nationals and One Cape Cod Man Charged with Fentanyl Trafficking

DOJ - Department of Justice
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BOSTON – Two Dominican nationals and one Cape Cod man were charged yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with drug trafficking activities that resulted in seizures of over a half-kilogram of fentanyl.

Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel, 26, a Dominican national residing in New Bedford; Miki Michael Mota-Bernabel, 29, a Dominican national residing in Providence, R.I.; and Steven Marshall, 31, were charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl. The Mota-Bernabels were charged by complaint and arrested on May 22, 2018, and have been in custody since. Marshall was arrested by federal authorities yesterday, after previously being arrested and charged in state court.

According to court documents, in January and February 2018, investigators conducted surveillance of Marshall as he traveled to New Bedford to purchase fentanyl from his source of supply, Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel. After a fentanyl pick up on March 1, 2018, investigators stopped Marshall, searched his vehicle, and seized approximately 125 grams of fentanyl.

Court documents further allege that agents conducted four controlled purchases, of approximately 100 grams of fentanyl each from Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel in March and April 2018. For one of the controlled purchases, Miki Michael Mota-Bernabel served as the courier, delivering over 100 grams of fentanyl to an undercover agent. Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel personally delivered the fentanyl on another occasion.

A search of Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel’s residence and stash house resulted in the seizure of over 350 grams of suspected fentanyl, $12,395 and other drug-related paraphernalia. Court documents also indicate the Mota-Bernabels entered the United States illegally.

The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The Mota-Bernabels will be subject to deportation upon completion of their sentences. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.